Sanford, Airport Reach Compromise On Costs

SANFORD — Neither side is completely happy with the compromise, but the Central Florida Regional Airport will reimburse the city for some of its airport-related expenses.

Traditionally, the city has supplied services to the city-owned airport with little thought of reimbursements. But as the airport expands and the city budget shrinks, the city's attitude has changed.

Both sides had fought for several weeks over if and how much the airport should pay for city services, such as police and fire protection. Both sides said repeatedly that in tight financial times the $60,000 at stake was badly needed.

But neither the airport chairman nor the city manager could give examples of how either would be hurt if the other didn't compromise.

Airport board Chairman A.K. Shoemaker said loss of money won't affect ''anything that you can put your finger on at this point.''

''They have insisted on it, we are going to have to pay,'' said Shoemaker, who had predicted dire financial repercussions if the city pushed its demands.

''We work for them,'' he said. ''There is nothing we can do. We will just have to be a little more careful with what we spend.''

City Manager Bill Simmons said even if no compromise had been reached, the issue would not have hurt the city's operations.

The city originally billed the airport for $60,000, but trimmed that amount by $28,000 - the amount of taxes paid to the city from non-aviation businesses at the airport.

Simmons said he expects to meet with airport officials soon to see if the city is providing service the airport doesn't need. If services remain the same, he said, next year's bill will be about $60,000.

''The airport will reimburse the city one way or another,'' said Simmons.

But, he said, the city will probably agree to deduct - as they did this year - taxes paid by businesses at the airport. Businesses directly related to aviation do not pay property taxes.

The airport's $6.2 million budget includes nearly $3 million in state and federal aid and nearly $1 million in cash reserves.

The largest expense is about $2 million for construction of a second taxiway. Salaries and benefits make up about $1.1 million.